Dolly Sods North scenic tour (West Virginia, 5/29/'17)
May 29, 2017 11:22:50 GMT -8
snappypepper likes this
Post by GaliWalker on May 29, 2017 11:22:50 GMT -8
Dolly Sods North scenic tour (West Virginia, 5/29/'17)
With incessant rain the past few days and a forecast of thunderstorms for hike day, I decided to cancel my more ambitious, stream-crossings filled plans. I ended up picking ole tried and trusted Dolly Sods (North) as my backup destination.
Route: Blackbird Knob Trail > Rocky Ridge Trail > Raven Ridge Trail > Dobbins Grade Trail > Upper Red Creek Trail > Blackbird Knob Trail > Red Creek Trail > Breathed Mountain Trail
The 3hr drive from Pittsburgh featured pockets of thick fog, especially near the end as I worked my way through and out of Canaan Valley, to the Breathed Mountain trailhead at the end of FR 80; however, when I began the hike a little after 6:00am, I had managed to get above the worst of it.
The initial going along the last 1mi of FR 80, which was more trail than road, was under overcast conditions; however, as I broke out into the open meadows along the Rocky Ridge Trail golden sunshine began to paint the landscape. The views down into Canaan Valley on one side and the heart of Dolly Sods on the other, featured lifting fog and sublime serenity.
The highlight of the Rocky Ridge Trail is a series of gleaming rock outcrops. This day, they looked even better than usually, since the wild pink azaleas were in peak bloom. My progress ground to a crawl, as I meandered my way along: a sniff here and a scramble up a rocky perch there.
The scenic quotient remained high as I exited stage right, trading the Rocky Ridge Trail for the Raven Ridge Trail. Picture perfect red spruce groves dotted the grasslands. Around this time mist fingers began to gently encroach along the undulating terrain. Every time I was touched by one of them light rain would mist down on me.
While spring is most over in the lowlands, the high country of Dolly Sods still sported the lovely colors of springtime. People always marvel at fall colors, but often miss the fact that spring is almost equally colorful. The reds and sage-greens of new leaves, offset by the brighter greens of more mature trees was just lovely.
The last major attraction of the hike was at the confluence of a couple of tributaries of Red Creek, called The Forks. This is a place of sublime beauty, although always a popular spot. I took my time drinking in the sights.
After The Forks, I was out of time to waste on photography, so I put the camera away and hurried back to the car.
Cumulative hiking/photography stats: 13.7mi, 8hr 45min
With incessant rain the past few days and a forecast of thunderstorms for hike day, I decided to cancel my more ambitious, stream-crossings filled plans. I ended up picking ole tried and trusted Dolly Sods (North) as my backup destination.
Route: Blackbird Knob Trail > Rocky Ridge Trail > Raven Ridge Trail > Dobbins Grade Trail > Upper Red Creek Trail > Blackbird Knob Trail > Red Creek Trail > Breathed Mountain Trail
The 3hr drive from Pittsburgh featured pockets of thick fog, especially near the end as I worked my way through and out of Canaan Valley, to the Breathed Mountain trailhead at the end of FR 80; however, when I began the hike a little after 6:00am, I had managed to get above the worst of it.
The initial going along the last 1mi of FR 80, which was more trail than road, was under overcast conditions; however, as I broke out into the open meadows along the Rocky Ridge Trail golden sunshine began to paint the landscape. The views down into Canaan Valley on one side and the heart of Dolly Sods on the other, featured lifting fog and sublime serenity.
The highlight of the Rocky Ridge Trail is a series of gleaming rock outcrops. This day, they looked even better than usually, since the wild pink azaleas were in peak bloom. My progress ground to a crawl, as I meandered my way along: a sniff here and a scramble up a rocky perch there.
The scenic quotient remained high as I exited stage right, trading the Rocky Ridge Trail for the Raven Ridge Trail. Picture perfect red spruce groves dotted the grasslands. Around this time mist fingers began to gently encroach along the undulating terrain. Every time I was touched by one of them light rain would mist down on me.
While spring is most over in the lowlands, the high country of Dolly Sods still sported the lovely colors of springtime. People always marvel at fall colors, but often miss the fact that spring is almost equally colorful. The reds and sage-greens of new leaves, offset by the brighter greens of more mature trees was just lovely.
The last major attraction of the hike was at the confluence of a couple of tributaries of Red Creek, called The Forks. This is a place of sublime beauty, although always a popular spot. I took my time drinking in the sights.
After The Forks, I was out of time to waste on photography, so I put the camera away and hurried back to the car.
Cumulative hiking/photography stats: 13.7mi, 8hr 45min